Decision details

9.1

This report seeks Committee approval for a 2% increase in allotment rent and water charges for the period 2026-27. The report summarises allotment law and explains how the rent increase enables the Council to work towards the outcomes of the Council Plan and continue its statutory duty to provide allotment sites for people to grow their own food. Tenants must be given 12 months’ notice (usually in January) of any increase in rents. Committee approval allows the service to give legal notice.

9.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Communities, Parks and Leisure Policy Committee:-

1.     notes the contents of the report; and

2.     approves a 2% increase to allotment rents for 2026/27.

9.3

Reasons for Decision

9.3.1

The recommendation to the Communities, Parks and Leisure Committee is to increase the rents by 2% in 2026/27, this protects the staffing levels within the team to continue to provide support to allotment holders and their allotments and maintains a small site improvement budget. It takes in to account the results of the 2018 consultation, increasing rent by a relatively small proportion.

9.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

9.4.1

Alternative Option 1: Rents remain at 2025/26 levels for 2026/27.

This option was rejected as the proposal would significantly decrease the level of service and site improvements that can be undertaken. Following previous years of below-inflationary rent increases, this would represent a reduction to the budget for the service.

9.4.2

Alternative Option 2: Rents increased by an amount greater than inflation.

This would allow much needed investment in the estate's attainment of ‘Sheffield Standard; by 2030. Additional budget could be allocated to those plots that are currently unlettable due to their unviable condition, reducing extensive waiting times for allotments and increasing revenue.

This option was rejected as the proposal may impact on those in our communities who rely on allotments to live healthy, fulfilling and sustainable lives. With the lasting effects of the ‘cost of living crisis' those existing tenants may face financial hardship and allotments would become unaffordable.